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Recycling and greenwaste bin checks to reveal polluters

Random checks on the contents of recycling and greenwaste bins are being introduced in Latrobe City to reduce contamination from non-recyclable products.

By Latrobe Shire Council - 27th August 2004 - Back to News

The introduction of the random checks follows the rejection of a number of collections of recyclable materials and greenwaste affected by cross-contamination with items such as babies’ nappies, plastic bags, dog faeces and even barbed wire.

Latrobe City Council’s Chef Executive Officer, Paul Buckley, has also warned that fines will be imposed where deliberate or repeat incidences of contamination are detected.

"A few people are unfortunately placing everyone else’s recycling efforts at risk, either through ignorance or deliberate attempts to create pollution, and we are determined that will not be the case," Mr Buckley said.

"A high recovery rate of recyclables and greenwaste from municipal waste is essential if we are to meet state-wide recycling targets and play our part in reducing the amount of waste going to landfill. The alternative would be significantly higher financial costs imposed on us as a wasteful society, which would have to be recovered through increased charges to ratepayers," Mr Buckley warned.

Manager Waste Services, Mike McCaughan, said that while the quantity of pollutants among recyclables and greenwaste being collected was small, even small quantities could cause immense problems.

"For example, one dirty nappy placed in one recycling bin put out for street collection, can mean a whole truckload of recyclables has to be rejected," Mr McCaughan emphasised.

"There are significant health and safety issues for staff sorting recyclables for example where nappies have been dumped in recycling bins along with cans, bottles and newspapers. Unfortunately, some of the incidences we have investigated appear to be deliberate, and we will have to take action against perpetrators," Mr McCaughan explained.

Mr McCaughan said that a clear guide to the materials suitable for placing in the recycling and greenwaste bin had been distributed as part of the booklet ‘Your New Recycling and Waste Guide’, delivered with new bins to households. "The information is also incorporated on the back of the fridge magnet calendar which details recycling and greenwaste collection weeks," Mr McCaughan said.

"I urge people to carefully read or re-read the guide to ensure they understand what can or should not be placed in their recycling bins.

"It is important that householders do not put rubbish or other non-recyclable waste of any kind into their recycling or greenwaste bins. Residents are also asked not to put recyclable materials or greenwaste inside plastic bags before placing them into their bins, as the bags cannot be processed through the recycling and greenwaste facilities," Mr McCaughan said.

"If anyone is unsure what they can or cannot place in their recycling bin, help is just a phone call away by calling Council on 1300 367 700," he said.

"Residents who find their red-lidded waste bin inadequate for their disposal of nappies are urged to discuss the problem with Council, as we can offer solutions," Mr McCaughan added.

Mr Buckley said the increased volume of materials being collected for recycling through the new recycling and waste collection service had been encouraging, but the contamination of recyclables by non-recyclable materials was a serious problem.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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